John (Johnnie) Walker
Founder of Johnnie Walker Whisky
Kilmarnock
Born at Todriggs farm on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, John Walker was orphaned at the age of 14yrs.The farm was subsequently sold off, and the proceeds put into a trust fund, which would be used to set the young John Walker up in business at a later date. At the age of 15yrs the trust fund purchased a grocer shop near Kilmarnock Cross, and young John Walker was put to work learning the trade of a grocer, in a shop that would eventually be his own thriving business. His name and the town of Kilmarnock would go on to achieve world wide fame as a result of that shop.John Walker's main trade in the town was selling groceries wholesale and retail, but he was also becoming increasingly well known as a supplier of tea, wines, and spirits.Although a purveyor of all spirits, Walker's own label whisky is reported to have been the best seller in and around the town of Kilmarnock.In 1833 John Walker married Elizabeth Purves and in 1837 Elizabeth gave birth to their first son who was named Alexander after John's father. Another son was born and named Robert, no dates available.John Walker was by now considered to be an accomplished business man in the town, and was a member of the freemasons and the local trades associations. In 1852 a major flood engulfed the centre of Kilmarnock town, and records show that a number of local businesses were badly affected, Walker's own shop was reported to have been badly damaged and his entire stock ruined. This however was not the end of the business, for within two years Walker's shop was again a thriving concern, and doing more business than ever. In 1856 Alexander, his oldest son who was a skilled tea blender in Glasgow joined the business, and the following year John Walker died.Although records show that the sale of whisky was becoming an ever important and profitable part of his trade, when John Walker died his business was still listed as a grocers shop. In 1857 Alexander Walker took over the business and renamed it Johnnie Walker and Sons. Alexander Walker is credited as being the man behind, what is now considered to be the foremost Scotch Whisky producer in the world.
The firm which is now owned by the multi national company Diageo, has gone from strength to strength, although fears have been razed on numerous occasions about the future of the Kilmarnock plant.
Founder of Johnnie Walker Whisky
Kilmarnock
Born at Todriggs farm on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, John Walker was orphaned at the age of 14yrs.The farm was subsequently sold off, and the proceeds put into a trust fund, which would be used to set the young John Walker up in business at a later date. At the age of 15yrs the trust fund purchased a grocer shop near Kilmarnock Cross, and young John Walker was put to work learning the trade of a grocer, in a shop that would eventually be his own thriving business. His name and the town of Kilmarnock would go on to achieve world wide fame as a result of that shop.John Walker's main trade in the town was selling groceries wholesale and retail, but he was also becoming increasingly well known as a supplier of tea, wines, and spirits.Although a purveyor of all spirits, Walker's own label whisky is reported to have been the best seller in and around the town of Kilmarnock.In 1833 John Walker married Elizabeth Purves and in 1837 Elizabeth gave birth to their first son who was named Alexander after John's father. Another son was born and named Robert, no dates available.John Walker was by now considered to be an accomplished business man in the town, and was a member of the freemasons and the local trades associations. In 1852 a major flood engulfed the centre of Kilmarnock town, and records show that a number of local businesses were badly affected, Walker's own shop was reported to have been badly damaged and his entire stock ruined. This however was not the end of the business, for within two years Walker's shop was again a thriving concern, and doing more business than ever. In 1856 Alexander, his oldest son who was a skilled tea blender in Glasgow joined the business, and the following year John Walker died.Although records show that the sale of whisky was becoming an ever important and profitable part of his trade, when John Walker died his business was still listed as a grocers shop. In 1857 Alexander Walker took over the business and renamed it Johnnie Walker and Sons. Alexander Walker is credited as being the man behind, what is now considered to be the foremost Scotch Whisky producer in the world.
The firm which is now owned by the multi national company Diageo, has gone from strength to strength, although fears have been razed on numerous occasions about the future of the Kilmarnock plant.
John (Johnnie) Walker
Founder of Johnnie Walker Whisky
Kilmarnock
Born at Todriggs farm on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, John Walker was orphaned at the age of 14yrs.The farm was subsequently sold off, and the proceeds put into a trust fund, which would be used to set the young John Walker up in business at a later date. At the age of 15yrs the trust fund purchased a grocer shop near Kilmarnock Cross, and young John Walker was put to work learning the trade of a grocer, in a shop that would eventually be his own thriving business. His name and the town of Kilmarnock would go on to achieve world wide fame as a result of that shop.John Walker's main trade in the town was selling groceries wholesale and retail, but he was also becoming increasingly well known as a supplier of tea, wines, and spirits.Although a purveyor of all spirits, Walker's own label whisky is reported to have been the best seller in and around the town of Kilmarnock.In 1833 John Walker married Elizabeth Purves and in 1837 Elizabeth gave birth to their first son who was named Alexander after John's father. Another son was born and named Robert, no dates available.John Walker was by now considered to be an accomplished business man in the town, and was a member of the freemasons and the local trades associations. In 1852 a major flood engulfed the centre of Kilmarnock town, and records show that a number of local businesses were badly affected, Walker's own shop was reported to have been badly damaged and his entire stock ruined. This however was not the end of the business, for within two years Walker's shop was again a thriving concern, and doing more business than ever. In 1856 Alexander, his oldest son who was a skilled tea blender in Glasgow joined the business, and the following year John Walker died.Although records show that the sale of whisky was becoming an ever important and profitable part of his trade, when John Walker died his business was still listed as a grocers shop. In 1857 Alexander Walker took over the business and renamed it Johnnie Walker and Sons. Alexander Walker is credited as being the man behind, what is now considered to be the foremost Scotch Whisky producer in the world.
The firm which is now owned by the multi national company Diageo, has gone from strength to strength, although fears have been razed on numerous occasions about the future of the Kilmarnock plant.
Founder of Johnnie Walker Whisky
Kilmarnock
Born at Todriggs farm on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, John Walker was orphaned at the age of 14yrs.The farm was subsequently sold off, and the proceeds put into a trust fund, which would be used to set the young John Walker up in business at a later date. At the age of 15yrs the trust fund purchased a grocer shop near Kilmarnock Cross, and young John Walker was put to work learning the trade of a grocer, in a shop that would eventually be his own thriving business. His name and the town of Kilmarnock would go on to achieve world wide fame as a result of that shop.John Walker's main trade in the town was selling groceries wholesale and retail, but he was also becoming increasingly well known as a supplier of tea, wines, and spirits.Although a purveyor of all spirits, Walker's own label whisky is reported to have been the best seller in and around the town of Kilmarnock.In 1833 John Walker married Elizabeth Purves and in 1837 Elizabeth gave birth to their first son who was named Alexander after John's father. Another son was born and named Robert, no dates available.John Walker was by now considered to be an accomplished business man in the town, and was a member of the freemasons and the local trades associations. In 1852 a major flood engulfed the centre of Kilmarnock town, and records show that a number of local businesses were badly affected, Walker's own shop was reported to have been badly damaged and his entire stock ruined. This however was not the end of the business, for within two years Walker's shop was again a thriving concern, and doing more business than ever. In 1856 Alexander, his oldest son who was a skilled tea blender in Glasgow joined the business, and the following year John Walker died.Although records show that the sale of whisky was becoming an ever important and profitable part of his trade, when John Walker died his business was still listed as a grocers shop. In 1857 Alexander Walker took over the business and renamed it Johnnie Walker and Sons. Alexander Walker is credited as being the man behind, what is now considered to be the foremost Scotch Whisky producer in the world.
The firm which is now owned by the multi national company Diageo, has gone from strength to strength, although fears have been razed on numerous occasions about the future of the Kilmarnock plant.
Gravesite Details
It's now 23 March 2012 and the Kilmarnock home of Johnnie Walker is now closed. 700 jobs lost in what is still the world leading whisky brand, corporate greed has made a victim of our once proud town.
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